Early years
The Casualties were formed in 1990, with original members Jorge Herrera (vocals) Hank (guitar), Colin Wolf (vocals), Mark Yoshitomi (bass) and Yureesh Hooker (drums). The members aimed to return to what they viewed as the "golden era" of street punk, embodied by bands such as The Exploited and Charged GBH which they believed had disappeared by 1985.[3] During the early years, the lineup was fluid, with several changes. That first year, Colin stepped out for several months to finish his education while Rachel, TheRivits' singer, took his place.[3]
In 1991, Hank left the band, to be replaced by Fred (last name unknown) on guitar. Colin, Jorge, Yureesh, Hank and Mark put together a demo, titled Political Sin, for the Benefit for Beer compilation.[4] After making this recording, Fred left to go to school and Steve, from Distraught, fills in for a short time, until Fred returns to the band full-time. The 4 song EP, 40 Oz. Casualty was recorded at the end of 1991 and self-released.[3] 1992 saw the band touring and building up a fan base in NYC. In 1993, Mark and Fred left the band and were replaced by Mike (last name unknown) on bass and Jake Kolatis on the guitar, followed by the departure of Yureesh and Colin in 1994, to be replaced on drums by Shawn, while the band went down to a single vocalist.[3][4] 1994 sees the recording of the 4 song EP, Drinking Is Our Way Of Life, however it would not be released. The songs would later appear on the Casualties "early years 1990-1995" CD in 1999.[4] In 1995, the band's second release, the 4 track A Fuckin' Way Of Life E.P. was released on Eyeball Records. After recording A Fuckin' Way of Life, Shawn left the band, and Marc Eggers (nicknamed Meggers) of the Rivits became the regular drummer. The line-up of Jorge, Jake, Mike and Meggers continued until 1997.
In 1996 the Casualties became the first American band to appear at the "Holidays in the Sun" Festival in London. 1997 saw the release of the band's debut album, For the Pun is released on Tribal War Records, and the band embarks on its first American tour with The Varukers. Mike (the bassist) left the band in 1998, to be replaced with Johnny Rosado, from The Krays.[4][5] They released their second LP that year, Underground Army, and begin a world tour. Jon leaves the band during the European leg of the tour, to be temporarily replaced by Dave Punk Core.
Present lineup
After the world tour, Dave would be replaced by Rick Lopez from the band, Manix. The line-up was now solidified for the band and would continue to the present day.[6] The end of the millennium, 1999, saw the band produce a compilation album, Early Years 1990-1995, which included tracks which appeared on earlier ED's, as well as never before released songs, such as the four songs they had recorded on the never released EP Drinking is Our Way of Life back in 1994.
The 2000s have seen the band continue to tour[3][6] and produce albums (an album list can be seen below). They have toured with several other bands, such as The Exploited, GBH, Cockney Rejects, Slaughter & the Dogs,[4] and the English Dogs.[6] In December 2009, The Casualties toured alongside Hatebreed, The Acacia Strain, Crowbar, and Thy Will Be Done as part of the Stillborn Fest.[3] In the summer of 2012, The Casualties co-headlined the Tonight We Unite tour along with Nekromantix, where they played For The Punx in its entirety, the first time they had played the album through since its release in 1997.[3] Later that year, The Casualties released their new album titled Resistance through Season of Mist.[7][8] In 2013, The Casualties played at the largest Punk Rock festival in the world,[9] the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, England, where they shared the stage with The Exploited, Special Duties, Chron Gen and Anti-Establishment, and others
v.i.p
The Casualties Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Full of hypocrites and phonies
But no need to fear
Everyone kisses ass
Until you walk away, that is
Before coming any further
Here's a mirror for you to see
We won't want to see the real you
We are living in a world that's full of fakes
We are living in a world that's full of rumors
We are living in a world that's full of evil
We are living in a world that's full of hate
Next we raid the beverage bar
Relax, unwind, impair your judgment
Guarantees comfort, once you've had a few
How else do you think we can tolerate each other
Alcohol not doing it for you
Just visit the bathroom,
Exclusive for drug users
I don't know his name
But he looks damn cool!
We are living in a world that's full of fakes
We are living in a world that's full of rumors
We are living in a world that's full of evil
We are living in a world that's full of hate
Loss of sensation
Live entertainment
No waiting in line
Special treatment
The scene is no longer
For the poor and the exploited
What has been created
You destroy!
We are living in a world that's full of fakes, you wont get me!
We are living in a world that's full of rumors, you rich brats!
We are living in a world that's full of evil, two faced scum!
We are living in a world that's full of hate
Now that you're settled down
We can follow the conversation
"nice belt, nice shirt"
"thank you very much, I like your shoes too"
The night is almost over,
You missed the entertainment
Didn't you know, you were it
Sex and drugs and glamor
Is that what it's about?
We are living in a world that's full of fakes, you wont get me!
We are living in a world that's full of rumors, you rich brats!
We are living in a world that's full of evil, two faced scum!
We are living in a world that's full of hate, one more time!
We are living in a world that's full of fakes, you wont get me!
We are living in a world that's full of rumors, you rich brats!
We are living in a world that's full of evil, two faced scum!
We are living in a world that's full of hate
Fuck you!
The Casualties's song V.I.P is a scathing critique of the world of privilege and exclusivity, where people put on masks and costumes to fit in with the wealthy and powerful elites, and where alcohol and drugs are used to cope with the artificiality of such environments. The lyrics make clear how the V.I.P room and its people are full of phonies and hypocrites, who will kiss up to you until you turn your back, and how the world we are living in is full of fakes, rumors, evil, and hate.
The song's chorus repeats the line "We are living in a world that's full of fakes" four times in a row, emphasizing the depth and desperation of the situation. The verses paint a picture of the typical V.I.P room experience, from raiding the beverage bar and using drugs in the bathroom, to being given special treatment and losing one's sense of reality. The song ends with a forceful "Fuck you!" directed at the very system that promotes such a vicious cycle of self-centeredness and deceit.
In essence, V.I.P is a protest song against the excesses of capitalism and the dehumanizing effects of consumer culture. It is a powerful indictment of how we have allowed ourselves to be defined by our possessions and affiliations, rather than by our authentic selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Welcome to the V-I-P room
We are greeted to a special room meant for 'Very Important Persons'
Full of hypocrites and phonies
But it is filled with insincere and false people
But no need to fear
Yet, we don't have to be scared
Everyone kisses ass
As everyone wants to please one another
Until you walk away, that is
Of course, until you leave the room
Before coming any further
Before moving forward
Here's a mirror for you to see
Take a mirror, and take a look at yourself
Be sure your costume and mask are straight
Ensure that the disguise you wear is perfect
We won't want to see the real you
You better not let anyone see the true identity behind your mask
We are living in a world that's full of fakes
The world is full of fake people around us
We are living in a world that's full of rumors
The world spreads many baseless stories around
We are living in a world that's full of evil
We have to exist through a hostile and malicious world
We are living in a world that's full of hate
A lot of disgust and revulsion exist among us
Next we raid the beverage bar
We move to the drink counter
Relax, unwind, impair your judgment
Enjoy ourselves and get a bit tipsy
Guarantees comfort, once you've had a few
Once we drink enough, we feel calmer
How else do you think we can tolerate each other
Drinking is necessary if we want to stand one another
Alcohol not doing it for you
If that is not enough for you
Just visit the bathroom,
Then just go to the toilet,
Exclusive for drug users
Only for the people who consume narcotics
I don't know his name
I am not acquainted with him
But he looks damn cool!
But he appears quite impressive!
Loss of sensation
We experience the numbness
Live entertainment
There is entertainment happening all around
No waiting in line
There is no need to wait
Special treatment
We all receive specific privileges
The scene is no longer
This way of living is not the same anymore
For the poor and the exploited
It's not only for underprivileged and oppressed people anymore
What has been created
What has been established
You destroy!
Will surely be destroyed by you!
Fuck you!
An expression of hate and disdain
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY BERNARD ROUND, DENNIS ROUND, DARNELL SMITH, MICHAEL DUNN, FELONY DAVIS, R FRANKLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind